Passive pressure activation valve

ABSTRACT

A valve apparatus includes a housing, which defines an interior chamber, a baffle disposed in the interior chamber, and a volume of liquid. The housing includes first, second and third portions. The first portion includes first and second ports that communicate with the interior chamber. The second portion is spaced from the first portion along a longitudinal axis. And the third portion extends along the longitudinal axis between the first and second portions. The baffle at least partially defines a helical fluid flow path between the first and second ports, and the volume of the liquid is disposed in the second portion of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/558,229, filed 31 Mar. 2004, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Related co-pending applications are identified as “Valve Apparatus”(U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/817,521; filed 5 Apr. 2004),“System and Method of Managing Pressure in a Fuel System” (U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/817,522; filed 5 Apr. 2004), “Sealing Liquid fora Valve Apparatus” (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/821,178; filed 9Apr. 2004), and “Housing for Valve Apparatus” (U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/821,179; filed 9 Apr. 2004), all of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A fuel vapor pressure management apparatus that manages pressure anddetects leaks in a fuel system. In particular, a fuel vapor pressuremanagement apparatus using a liquid seal valve that vents positivepressure, vents excess negative pressure, and uses evaporative naturalvacuum to perform a leak diagnostic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A known fuel system for vehicles with internal combustion engines caninclude a canister that accumulates fuel vapor from a headspace of afuel tank. If there is a leak in the fuel tank, the canister, or anyother component of the fuel system, fuel vapor could escape through theleak and be released into the atmosphere instead of being accumulated inthe canister. Various government regulatory agencies, e.g., the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency and the Air Resources Board of theCalifornia Environmental Protection Agency, have promulgated standardsrelated to limiting fuel vapor releases into the atmosphere. Thus, it isbelieved that there is a need to avoid releasing fuel vapors into theatmosphere, and to provide an apparatus and a method for performing aleak diagnostic, so as to comply with these standards.

In such known fuel systems, excess fuel vapor can accumulate immediatelyafter engine shutdown, thereby creating a positive pressure in the fuelvapor pressure management

In such known fuel systems, excess fuel vapor can accumulate immediatelyafter engine shutdown, thereby creating a positive pressure in the fuelvapor pressure management system. Thereafter, a vacuum in the fuel vaporpressure management system can result from natural system cooling afterthe engine has been turned off. Excess negative or positive pressure inclosed fuel systems can occur under some atmospheric and operatingconditions, thereby causing stress on components of these fuel systems.

An automotive on-board diagnostic (OBDII) can perform a leak detectiontest to determine if there is a leak in the fuel vapor pressuremanagement system, which includes the fuel tank head space, the canisterthat collects volatile fuel vapors from the head-space, a purge valveand any associated hoses. A vacuum sensing function can perform the leakdetection diagnostic. For example, a pressure/vacuum sensor or switchwill allow the engine computer to monitor the vacuum that is caused bynatural system cooling after the engine has been turned off, and therebyperform the leak detection diagnostic.

A vacuum relief function can provide fail-safe operation of the purgeflow system, when the engine is ON, and guarantee that vacuum levels inthe fuel tank do not endanger the integrity of the tank, when the engineis OFF. In general, the vacuum relief function should only allow flow ata pressure level below the vacuum sensor level.

A pressure relief function is desirable in order to “blow-off” thepositive pressure due to excessive fuel vapor in the fuel vapor pressuremanagement system immediately after engine shutdown. This canfacilitate, e.g., expedite, the creation of the vacuum that is caused bythe natural system cooling. Another benefit of the pressure relieffunction is to allow air to exit the tank at high flow rates during tankrefueling. This function is commonly known as Onboard Refueling VaporRecovery (ORVR). In general, the pressure relief function should be at avery low-pressure level in order to minimize the backpressure duringrefueling, and to limit excess pressure in a hot system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a valve apparatus that includes ahousing, which defines an interior chamber, a baffle disposed in theinterior chamber, and a volume of liquid. The housing includes first,second and third portions. The first portion includes first and secondports that communicate with the interior chamber. The second portion isspaced from the first portion along a longitudinal axis. And the thirdportion extends along the longitudinal axis between the first and secondportions. The baffle at least partially defines a helical fluid flowpath between the first and second ports, and the volume of the liquid isdisposed in the second portion of the housing.

The present invention also provides a valve apparatus that includes ahousing that defines a flow path for a fluid, a liquid that separatesthe flow path into first and second parts, and means for controllingentrainment of the liquid into a flow of the fluid along the flow path.

The present invention further provides a method of managing vaporpressure in a fuel system supplying fuel to an internal combustionengine. The method includes locating a chamber in fluid communicationbetween first and second ports, disposing within the chamber a liquidseparating the chamber into first and second portions, and minimizingentrainment of the liquid in a flow of a fluid between the first andsecond ports. The first port is in fluid communication with the fuelsystem, and the second port is in fluid communication with atmosphere.

The inventors have determined, by comparing flow and velocitydistribution throughout a helical flow path of the liquid valve, theforces acting on secondary particles in the flow stream and whetherthese forces propel the particles toward the walls that define thehelical flow path.

During the pressure relief and vacuum relief, air passes through theliquid in the valve in the form of air bubbles. The bubbles then burst,which may cause the undesirable spraying of liquid into the air streamthat may then be carried away. In order to keep the liquid inside thepart, a liquid trap or tortuous path may be used to capture the liquid.According to a preferred embodiment, a multi-turn, helically shaped pathcaptures the liquid. During operation, the liquid droplets are thusforced to a wall of the path, thus providing a centrifuge effect. As aresult, liquid loss is substantially reduced or eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate presently preferred embodimentsof the invention, and, together with the general description given aboveand the detailed description given below, serve to explain features ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fuel system that includes a fuelvapor pressure management apparatus in accordance with the detaileddescription of certain preferred embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a model illustrating the operating principlesof a vapor pressure management apparatus.

FIG. 2B is an elevation view showing the resting state of the modelshown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing a first operating state of the modelshown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view showing a second operating state of themodel shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view showing a third operating state of the modelshown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a first preferred embodiment of a vaporpressure management apparatus.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are isometric views of a second preferred embodiment ofa vapor pressure management apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the second embodiment of the vapor pressuremanagement apparatus shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the cross-section of the second embodiment ofthe vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates velocity contours within the second embodiment ofthe vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 at a pressurelevel of +9 inches of water applied during pressure blow-off.

FIG. 11 illustrates velocity vector distribution within the secondembodiment of the vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 ata pressure level of +9 inches of water applied during pressure blow-off.

FIG. 12 illustrates pressure contours within the second embodiment ofthe vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 at a pressurelevel of +9 inches of water applied during pressure blow-off.

FIG. 13 illustrates velocity contours within the second embodiment ofthe vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 at a pressurelevel of −4 inches of water applied during pressure vacuum relief.

FIG. 14 illustrates velocity vector distribution within the secondembodiment of the vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 ata pressure level of −4 inches of water applied during pressure vacuumrelief.

FIG. 15 illustrates pressure contours within the second embodiment ofthe vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8 at a pressurelevel of −4 inches of water applied during pressure vacuum relief.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary distribution of fluid particles withinthe second embodiment of the vapor pressure management apparatus shownin FIG. 8.

FIG. 17 is a chart that illustrates the forces of select fluid particlesshown in FIG. 16 at a pressure level of +9 inches of water appliedduring pressure blow-off.

FIG. 18 is a chart that illustrates the forces of select fluid particlesshown in FIG. 16 at a pressure level of −4 inches of water appliedduring pressure vacuum relief.

FIG. 19 shows the results for the flow calculations on the secondembodiment of the vapor pressure management apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 20 shows the results for the fluid particle force calculations onthe second embodiment of the vapor pressure management apparatus shownin FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As it is used in this description, “atmosphere” generally refers to thegaseous envelope surrounding the Earth, and “atmospheric” generallyrefers to a characteristic of this envelope.

As it is used in this description, “pressure” is measured relative tothe ambient atmospheric pressure. Thus, positive pressure refers topressure greater than the ambient atmospheric pressure and negativepressure, or “vacuum,” refers to pressure less than the ambientatmospheric pressure.

Also, as it is used in this description, “headspace” refers to thevariable volume within an enclosure, e.g. a fuel tank, that is above thesurface of a liquid, e.g., fuel, in the enclosure. In the case of a fueltank for volatile fuels, e.g., gasoline, vapors from the volatile fuelmay be present in the headspace of the fuel tank.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fuel system 10, e.g., for an engine (not shown),includes a fuel tank 12, a vacuum source 14 such as an intake manifoldof the engine, a purge valve 16, a fuel vapor collection canister 18(e.g., a charcoal canister), and a fuel vapor pressure managementapparatus 20.

The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 20 performs a plurality offunctions including signaling 22 that a first predetermined pressure(vacuum) level exists, “vacuum relief” or relieving negative pressure 24at a value below the first predetermined pressure level, and “pressureblow-off” or relieving positive pressure 26 above a second pressurelevel.

Other functions are also possible. For example, the fuel vapor pressuremanagement apparatus 20 can be used as a vacuum regulator, and inconnection with the operation of the purge valve 16 and an algorithm,can perform large leak detection on the fuel system 10. Such large leakdetection could be used to evaluate situations such as when a refuelingcap 12 a is not replaced on the fuel tank 12.

It is understood that volatile liquid fuels, e.g., gasoline, canevaporate under certain conditions, e.g., rising ambient temperature,thereby generating fuel vapor. In the course of cooling that isexperienced by the fuel system 10, e.g., after the engine is turned off,a vacuum is naturally created by cooling the fuel vapor and air, such asin the headspace of the fuel tank 12 and in the fuel vapor collectioncanister 18. According to the present description, the existence of avacuum at the first predetermined pressure level indicates that theintegrity of the fuel system 10 is satisfactory. Thus, signaling 22 isused to indicate the integrity of the fuel system 10, i.e., that thereare no appreciable leaks. Subsequently, the vacuum relief 24 at apressure level below the first predetermined pressure level can protectthe fuel tank 12, e.g., can prevent structural distortion as a result ofstress caused by excess vacuum in the fuel system 10.

After the engine is turned off, the pressure blow-off 26 allows excesspressure due to fuel evaporation to be vented, and thereby expedite theonset of vacuum generation that subsequently occurs during cooling. Thepressure blow-off 26 allows air within the fuel system 10 to be releasedwhile fuel vapor is retained. Similarly, in the course of refueling thefuel tank 12, the pressure blow-off 26 allows air to exit the fuel tank12 at a high rate of flow.

At least two advantages are achieved in accordance with a systemincluding the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 20. First, a leakdetection diagnostic can be performed on fuel tanks of all sizes,including large volume fuel tanks, e.g., 100 gallons or more. Second,the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 20 is compatible with anumber of different types of the purge valves, including digital andproportional purge valves.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a model 100 of the fuel vapor pressuremanagement apparatus 20 will now be described. The model 100 relies onthe principal of a standing column of liquid. Consider a cylindricalvessel 110 consisting of a container 112 with a freestanding cylindricaltube 114. The vessel 110 is partially filled with liquid 120 thatseparates the vessel 110 into a first chamber 122 and a second chamber124. The first chamber is defined within the cylindrical tube 114, andthe second chamber 124 is defined between the wall of the container 112and the cylindrical tube 114. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first chamber 122is circular and the second chamber 124 is annular. The shapes of thechambers 122,124 in the model 100 may alternatively be defined byirregular or regular shapes other than circles, and may or may not sharea common central axis A. The operation of this model will now bedescribed.

FIG. 2B shows a resting state of the model 100. In the resting state,the liquid 120 is at a level L, with respect to the bottom of the vessel110, that is the same in both the first and second chambers 122,124.According to the model 100 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cylindricaltube 114 has an inside diameter d1 and the container 112 has an insidediameter d2. The vessel 110 is filled with the liquid 120 so that thecylindrical tube 114 is immersed to a depth of h1. The volume of liquidbelow the cylindrical tube 114 does not change the operation of thedevice. In the resting state, the model 100 will not allow fluid, e.g.,air, to pass between the first and second chambers 122,124. In effect,the liquid 120 contiguously engaging the bottom end 114 a of thecylindrical tube 114 creates a sufficient seal to prevent free transferof fluid between the first and second chambers 122,124. Flow will onlyoccur through the model 100, i.e., between the first and second chambers122,124, when a pressure or vacuum threshold is achieved as explainedbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the pressure relief mode of the model 100 isenabled, when a positive pressure differential exists in the firstchamber 122 relative to the second chamber 124. If a system to which themodel 100 is connected, e.g., the fuel system 10, applies pressure tothe first chamber 122, the column of liquid 120 within the cylindricaltube 114 is displaced until fluid escapes under the bottom end 114 ainto the second chamber 124. As positive pressure increases, the liquid120 will be displaced from the cylindrical tube 114 into the annularvolume of between the container 112 and the cylindrical tube 114. Thestart to flow pressure is governed by the head, h2. The volume of theliquid 120 inside the cylindrical tube 114 in the resting state can becalculated as:h₁×π(d₁/2)² or h₁×A₁where A₁ is the cross-sectional area inside the cylindrical tube 114.When the positive pressure differential reaches a level where the entirevolume of the liquid 120 inside the cylindrical tube 114 has beendisplaced, fluid in the form of bubbles, as depicted in FIG. 3, willbegin to escape from the first chamber 122. The level at which thispressure relief flow will begin to occur can be calculated by:h ₂ =h ₁+((h ₁ ×A ₁)/A ₂)

The pressure differential h2 at which pressure relief occurs isdependent on the specific gravity of the liquid. As can be seen by thisformula, the pressure relief point h2 can be made significantly lower byincreasing the difference in area between A1 and A2.

Vacuum sensing is depicted in FIG. 4. An appropriate liquid level sensor140 has been placed approximate halfway up the cylindrical tube 114. Thelevel sensor 140 is active when the vehicle engine is OFF. If the systemto which the model 100 is connected, e.g., the fuel system 10, appliesvacuum to the first chamber 122, the column of liquid 120 within thecylindrical tube 114 is raised. The column of the liquid 120 can bedetected by a number of methods (float, thermistor, capacitive,conductive, optical, etc.) when the liquid head reaches the detectionthreshold, h3. The sensor 140 will signal a passing diagnostic when anegative pressure differential that exists in the first chamber 122relative to the second chamber 124 draws the liquid 120 up to the pointof touching or triggering the level sensor 140. The vacuum sensing levelor calibration is related to head differential between the first andsecond chambers 122,124, and to the specific gravity of the liquid 120.For example, at a given position of the level sensor 140, the vacuumsense calibration will increase with increasing specific gravity.

Vacuum relief is depicted in FIG. 5. As vacuum continues to raise thecolumn of the liquid 120 in the first chamber 120 to a higher level thanin FIG. 4, the liquid 120 will be displaced from the second chamber 124,under the bottom end 114 a of the cylindrical tube 114, and into thefirst chamber 122. When the negative pressure differential reaches alevel where the entire volume of the liquid 120 outside the cylindricaltube 114 has been displaced, i.e., to the bottom 114 a of thecylindrical tube 114, fluid in the form of bubbles, as depicted in FIG.5, will begin to escape from the second chamber 124, under the bottomend 114 a of the cylindrical tube 114, and into the first chamber 122.The level at which this vacuum relief flow will begin to occur can becalculate by:h ₄ =h ₁+((h ₁ ×A ₂)/A ₁)

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a vaporpressure management apparatus 200. Features having characteristics andfunctions that are similar to those of the model 100 are indicated withreference numerals that are incremented by one hundred. Thus, forexample, sensor 240 of the vapor pressure management apparatus 200 hascharacteristics and functions that are similar to sensor 140 of themodel 100. FIG. 6 also illustrates several additional features that willnow be described.

The apparatus 200 includes a cylindrical vessel 210 that defines a flowpath between an inlet 202, which is preferably in fluid communicationwith the fuel system 10, and an outlet 204, which is preferably in fluidcommunication with the atmosphere. The cylindrical vessel 210 ispreferably constructed of only components including a container 212, abaffle 214 and a semi-spherical portion 212 a connected to the container212, which contains a volume of a liquid 220. The semi-spherical portion212 a as shown in FIG. 6 is detachable with respect to the container 212so as to facilitate insertion of the baffle 214 in the container 212.However, the semi-spherical portion 212 a may alternatively beintegrally formed with the container 212, and the container 212 providedwith an alternate arrangement for inserting the baffle 214, e.g., a capportion including the inlet 202 and outlet 204 may be detachable withrespect to the container 212.

The baffle 214 extends between a first end that is proximate the inlet202 and outlet 204, and a second end 214 a that is proximate thesemi-spherical portion 212 a of the container 212. The second end 214 aof the baffle 214 contiguously engages the liquid 220.

So as to minimize or eliminate loss of the liquid 220 due to entrainmentin the passing air fluid, the baffle 214 includes a first panel 214 band a second panel 214 c. The first panel 214 b extends helically abouta longitudinal axis A between the first end and the second end 214 a ofthe baffle 214. The second panel 214 c includes a cylinder that isdisposed about the longitudinal axis A and extends between the first endand the second end 214 a. The second panel 214 c of the baffle 214intersects the first panel 214 b of the baffle 214 so as to separate thehelical flow path into a first part 215 a and a second part 215 b.

The first part 215 a of the helical flow path is in fluid communicationwith the inlet port 202, and the second part 215 b of the helical flowpath is in fluid communication with the outlet port 204. Preferably, thefirst part 215 a of the helical flow path is radially proximate to thelongitudinal axis A and the second part 215 b of the helical flow pathis radially distal to the longitudinal axis A. Accordingly, the secondpart 215 b of the helical flow path preferably circumscribes the firstpart 215 a of the helical flow path.

The second panel 214 c preferably tapers between the first end of thebaffle 214 and the second end 214 a of the baffle 214. Of coursedifferent configurations of the second panel 214 c are possible,including various cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axisA, different tapers or no tapers, and being disposed other thansymmetrically about the longitudinal axis A.

Additionally, the vessel 210 encloses the liquid 220 so as to containthe liquid 220 regardless of the orientation of the vapor pressuremanagement apparatus 200. The liquid provides a means for controllingthe direction of fluid flow, without a resilient element and without anelectric element.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8 and 9, there is shown a fuel vaporpressure management apparatus 300 according to a second preferredembodiment. Again, features having characteristics and functions thatare similar to those of the model 100 or the first preferred embodimentof the vapor pressure management apparatus 200 are indicated withreference numerals that are incremented by two-hundred and one-hundred,respectively. Thus, for example, sensor 340 of the fuel vapor pressuremanagement apparatus 300 has characteristics and functions that aresimilar to sensor 140 of the model 100, and to sensor 240 of the vaporpressure management apparatus 200. FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8 and 9 alsoillustrates several additional features that will now be described.

The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 300 includes a container310 that preferably includes three components: a Nylon cap portion 311with at least one insert molded terminal 311 a, a Nylon body containerportion 312, and a stamped steel cup portion 312 a.

Similar to the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 200, the fuelvapor pressure management apparatus 300 also includes first and secondpanels 314 b and 314 c. However, both the first and second panels 314b,314 c extend helically about the longitudinal axis A between the firstend and the second end 314 a of the baffle 314. The first panel 314 b isoffset along the longitudinal axis A from the second panel 314 c so asto define therebetween the first and second parts 315 a,315 b of thehelical flow path. As such, the first and second parts 315 a,315 b ofthe helical flow path define a double helix configuration thatcircumscribes the longitudinal axis A.

In fuel vapor pressure management apparatuses 200,300, the baffles214,314 extend radially between inner and outer ends. Preferably, theinner ends of the baffles 214,314 are displaced axially toward thesemi-spherical portions 212 a,312 a of the housings 212,312 relative tothe outer end of the baffle 314,314. As such, the helical panels 214b,314 b,314 c extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis A,e.g., forming cone shaped surfaces.

Inlet port 302 may include a fitting that is particularly suited tobeing mounted on the fuel vapor collection canister 18 of the fuelsystem 10 (FIG. 1). The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 300includes a container 312 that can be mounted directly to the fuel vaporcollection canister 18 by a “bayonet” style attachment 326. A seal (notshown) can be interposed between the fuel vapor collection canister 18and the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 300 so as to provide afluid tight connection. The bayonet style attachment 326, in combinationwith a snap finger 328, allows the fuel vapor pressure managementapparatus 300 to be readily serviced in the field. Of course, differentstyles of attachments between the fuel vapor pressure managementapparatus 300 and the fuel vapor collection canister 18 can besubstituted for the illustrated bayonet attachment 326. Examples ofdifferent attachments include a threaded attachment, and an interlockingtelescopic attachment. Alternatively, the fuel vapor collection canister18 and the container 312 can be bonded together (e.g., using anadhesive).

A semi-spherical portion 312 a of container 312 contains the liquid 320in the resting state of the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus300. The inventors of the present invention have discovered that thesemi-spherical shaped portion 312 a reduces the impact of tilting fromthe vertical on the calibration of the fuel vapor pressure managementapparatus 300.

The baffles 214,314 provide the preferred embodiment that minimizes oreliminates liquid entrainment in the fluid flow. As an alternative tothe helical fluid flow paths defined by the baffles 214,314 of the fuelvapor pressure management apparatuses 200,300, a series of concentricwalls could be used to minimize or eliminate liquid entrainment in thefluid flow so long as the configuration of the walls develops sufficientvariations in the velocity contours, velocity vector distribution, orpressure contours. Moreover, any set of partitions or walls may beconfigured to define a tortuous flow path through the housing so long asthe configuration of the walls develops sufficient variations in thevelocity contours, velocity vector distribution, or pressure contours.The means for controlling entrainment of the liquid into the flow of thefluid along the flow path may be any of the above alternatives or theirequivalents.

With regard to the liquid 120,220,320, increasing the specific gravityof the liquid will reduce the physical size of the device. For example,increasing the specific gravity of the liquid reduces the displacement(i.e., h4 in the case of vacuum relief) of the liquid column necessaryto achieve the same vacuum level at the point of relief.

Ideally, the viscosity of the liquid 120,220,320 would be heavy enoughthat the bursting bubbles do not spray liquid into the air stream to becarried away. In practice, however, the inventors have discovered thatliquid traps used to capture and retain the liquid 120,220,320 so as notto drain out of the container 112,212,312 if the vessel 110,210,310 istilted or overturned do not satisfactorily capture entrained liquid as aresult of bubbles bursting. Hence, the baffles 214,314 are installed todirect the flow of the liquid 220,320 away from the ports and to providea tortuous path that keeps the liquid 220,320 inside the vapor pressuremanagement apparatus. Preferably, the viscosity remains fluid enough toenable the apparatus to operate at extreme low temperatures.

For the device to be viable over the life of a vehicle, the liquid needshave a very low evaporation rate and must not freeze into a solid untilat least −40° Celsius. According to the preferred embodiments, a liquidshould possess the following properties:

-   -   Excellent oxidative and thermal stability    -   Low volatility and vapor pressure    -   Non-flammable and chemically inert    -   Excellent plastic and elastomer compatibility    -   Resistant to aggressive chemicals and solvents        Low evaporation is required so that that apparatus function can        be maintained over a 15-year and 150,000-mile life of a vehicle.        In addition, a low evaporation rate ensures that the liquid        itself will not create stray airborne hydrocarbon molecules that        could fail an evaporative emissions test. A preferable liquid        will have a kinematic viscosity range of 75-600 centistokes        throughout a temperature range of −40 to +100 degrees Celsius,        and will have a near zero vapor pressure (˜5×10⁻⁹ torr at 100        degrees Celsius).

A synthetic oil, such as Fluorinated Polyether, is an example of anacceptable liquid. Preferably, the liquid may be Perfluoropolyether(PFPE), which has an acceptable viscosity and may be used in extremetemperature environments or in applications that require chemical, fuel,or solvent resistance.

The liquid 120,220,320 may also include, in suspension in the liquid120,220,320, an additive that acts as an electrical conductor. Accordingto preferred embodiments, the liquid 120,220,320 may include carbonparticles, copper or a chemical additive, e.g., sodium chloride, i.e.,salt. It is relatively inexpensive to provide carbon particles suspendedin the liquid 120,220,320, but this increases the viscosity of theliquid 120,220,320 and presents a high electrical resistance. Suspendingcopper in the liquid 120,220,320 provides a relatively low electricalresistance conductor, but may settle out of the liquid 120,220,320 andcould be corrosive. Chemical additives provide a stable solution withoutadversely affecting viscosity of the liquid 120,220,320 but, like thecarbon particles, may present a high electrical resistance.

Alternatively or additionally, the liquid 120,220,320 may include glassmicro-spheres to thicken the liquid and prevent splashing and liquidcarry-over. The liquid may also be a gel.

With regard to the sensor 140,240,340, the vacuum sensing 22 can beaccomplished with a positive or negative temperature coefficientthermistor, a capacitive sensor, a float and a contact switch, a magnetand a reed switch, resistive/conductive oil, and many others. Thesedevices can be used to sense the liquid level of the column in the firstchamber. For example, the presence or absence of the liquid at a levelcan be sensed using a heated thermistor that dissipates more heat inliquid than in air, or with a capacitive sensor inasmuch as oil and airhave very different dielectric constants. Further, sensors that measurethat directly measure the pressure differential that causes liquiddisplacement can also be used in conjunction with the vacuum relief andpressure blow-off the pressure differentials between the first andsecond chambers.

The performance of the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 300 willnow be discussed with additional reference to FIGS. 10-20.

FIGS. 10 to 15 show the velocity contours (FIGS. 10 and 13), velocityvectors (FIGS. 11 and 14) and pressure contours (FIGS. 12 and 15) forthe flow through the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus 300 duringpressure blow-off 26 (FIGS. 10-12) and vacuum relief 24 (FIGS. 13-15).

Referring also to FIG. 16, a fluid particle force analysis was conductedwith twelve fluid particles inserted into the flow steam. The particlesize was a 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm cube. The fluid particles were insertedaccording to the distribution shown in FIG. 16. The particles werenumbered radially outward by each diagonal row. Row 1 (the lowermostrow) contains particles 1-3, row 2 contains particles 4-6, row threecontains particles 7-9, and row 4 (the top row) contains particles10-12.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the forces acting on particles placed in the flowstream according to FIG. 16 so as to determine the direction andmagnitude of fluid forces acting on these particles. FIGS. 17 and 18show the forces acting on the fluid particles in both pressure andvacuum modes respectively. Forces were only extracted for fluidparticles in the upward stream flow velocity since this is the only casewhen the liquid particles will be present.

The flow results in FIG. 19 are given in both mass flow units and instandardized volumetric flow in standard liters per minute (SLPM). Forthe fluid particle wall forces in FIG. 20, the y-direction is positivetowards the center of the part, the x-direction is positive into thepage, and the z-direction is positive upward.

From examination of the plots of particle forces above it is seen thatthe axial and the circumferential fluid (Z and X respectively) acting onthe fluid particle are much greater than the radial forces (Y). Whatthis would indicate is that the particles would tend to be carried withthe flow stream. It is also seen that the magnitude and direction of theforce changes considerably with particle placement and with flowdirection. By examining the radial forces between the two models it isseen that in pressure mode (FIGS. 10-12) the radial forces tend topropel the particles towards the center of the fuel vapor pressuremanagement apparatus 300. However in vacuum mode (FIGS. 13-15), theforces tend to propel the particles outward.

Numerous advantages are achieved in accordance with the vapor pressuremanagement apparatus according to the present invention. Theseadvantages include providing a leak detection diagnostic using vacuummonitoring during natural cooling, e.g., after the engine is turned off,providing relief for vacuum below the first predetermined pressurelevel, and providing relief for positive pressure above the secondpredetermined pressure level. Additionally, the vacuum relief 24provides fail-safe purging of the canister 18, and the relievingpressure 26 regulates the pressure in the fuel tank 12 during anysituation in which the engine is turned off, thereby limiting the amountof positive pressure in the fuel tank 12 and allowing the cool-downvacuum effect to occur sooner.

According to the present invention, the liquid 120,220,320 has theability to wet-out on the walls and effectively lower the volume thathas to be displaced, and to lower the backpressure because the liquidclings to the walls and out of the path of airflow. The liquid120,220,320 also acts as a wet filter to remove debris from the incomingair stream.

The present invention advantageously includes a semi-spherical shapedlower housing that reduces the impact of tilt angle on calibration. Aspill-proof housing uses tortuous paths, preferably a helical flow path,and reservoirs to contain liquid in the event that the part is inverted,and then the liquid returns to its original location when part is setupright. Further, a reservoir of unused liquid can be provided to top upthe liquid level if there is a liquid loss due to evaporation or liquidcarry-over. And if liquid becomes contaminated or destroyed, a serviceprocedure could be created to rejuvenate the part by extracting the usedliquid and inject a replacement amount of new liquid.

It is also possible according to the present invention to take advantageof the meniscus effect on the cylindrical tube end. This will tend tocreate a higher than expected level of pressure or vacuum relief. Also,the meniscus effect can be used to make the device smaller thanexpected.

According to the present invention, installation options include in-lineand canister mounted variations. The vapor pressure managementapparatuses according to the present invention also inherently providezero vacuum leakage, allow positive and negative pressure relief valuesto be designed by geometry, presents no mechanical moving parts and thusthere is no wear, no filtration is required, reduced durability testing,no calibration is required, and a very low parts count to ease assemblyand reduced manufacturing costs. Moreover, loss of the liquid 220,320throughout the life of the fuel vapor pressure management apparatuses200,300 can be made substantially negligible or completely eliminated bythe helical flow paths.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certainpreferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changesto the described embodiments are possible without departing from thesphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appendedclaims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not belimited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scopedefined by the language of the following claims, and equivalentsthereof.

1. A valve apparatus comprising: a housing including an inner space, aninlet, an outlet and a flow path for a fluid from the inlet to theoutlet; a liquid for separating the flow that into first and secondparts; and a baffle within the inner space for controlling entrainmentof the liquid into a flow of the fluid along the flow path, wherein thebaffle defines the flow path for the fluid and the flow path comprises ahelical passage that winds about a longitudinal axis of the housing. 2.A valve apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber,the housing including: a first portion including first and second portscommunicating with the interior chamber; a second portion spaced fromthe first portion along a longitudinal axis; and a third portionextending along the longitudinal axis between the first and secondportions; a baffle disposed in the interior chamber, the baffle at leastpartially defining a helical fluid flow path between the first andsecond ports; and a volume of liquid disposed in the second portion ofthe housing, wherein the liquid separates the helical flow path intofirst and second parts, the first part of the helical flow path being influid communication with the first port, and the second part of thehelical flow path being in fluid communication with the second port. 3.The valve apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the baffle extendsbetween a first end that is proximate the first portion of the housingand a second end that is proximate the second portion of the housing,and the second end of the baffle contiguously engaging the liquid. 4.The valve apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the baffle comprisesfirst and second panels, the first panel extends helically about thelongitudinal axis between the first and second ends, and the secondpanel includes a cylinder disposed about the longitudinal axis andextending between the first and second ends.
 5. The valve apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein the second panel of the baffle intersectsthe first panel of the baffle so as to separate the helical flow pathinto the first and second parts.
 6. The valve apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the first part of the helical flow path is proximatethe longitudinal axis and the second part of the helical flow path isproximate the third portion of the housing.
 7. The valve apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the second part of the helical flow pathcircumscribes the first part of the helical flow path.
 8. The valveapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cylinder tapers from thefirst end of the baffle to the second end of the baffle.
 9. The valveapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the baffle comprises first andsecond panels each extending helically about the longitudinal axisbetween the first and second ends, and the first panel being offset fromthe second panel so as to define therebetween the first and second partsof the helical flow path.
 10. The valve apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the first and second parts of the helical flow path define adouble helix configuration circumscribing the longitudinal axis.
 11. Thevalve apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the baffle extendsradially between inner and outer ends.
 12. The valve apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein the inner end of the baffle is displaced axiallytoward the second portion of the housing relative to the outer end ofthe baffle.
 13. The valve apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising: a sensor disposed in the interior chamber.
 14. The valveapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sensor detects a pressuredifferential between the first and second ports.
 15. The valve apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the sensor detects displacement of theliquid in response to the pressure differential.
 16. The valve apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises an electrictransducer, and the first portion of the housing comprises a connectorincluding at least one terminal in electrical communication with theelectric transducer.
 17. The valve apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the sensor comprises at least one of thermistor, a capacitiveswitch, a float and contact switch, a magnet and reed switch, aresistive oil switch, an optical switch, and a resistance/conductancedetector.
 18. The valve apparatus according to claim 13, wherein thesensor is disposed along the longitudinal axis.
 19. The valve apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the housingcomprises a semi-spherical container.
 20. The valve apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the liquid comprises a kinematic viscosity range of75-600 centistokes throughout a temperature range of −40 to +100 degreesCelsius.
 21. The valve apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theliquid comprises an electrical conductor.
 22. The valve apparatusaccording to claim 21, wherein the electrical conductor is suspended inthe liquid.
 23. The valve apparatus according to claim 21, wherein theelectrical conductor consists of at least one of carbon particles,copper and a chemical additive.
 24. The valve apparatus according toclaim 22, wherein the baffle comprises the flow path including a helicalconfiguration.